Movable contact guiding and actuating mechanism in a manually operated electric switch

ABSTRACT

A manually operated switch having a toggle-acting mechanism which applies positive pressure between the contacts during the interval the toggle levers are passing through the pivot center of the toggle levers. The switch includes a stabilizer which prevents the movable contact carrier from tilting so that an offcenter load may be applied on the contact carrier and a lever arrangement which will cause the operating buttons of the switch to become aligned when the switch is tripped in response to an electrical overload in the circuits controlled by the switch.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Jordan F. Puetz Milwaukee, Wis.

[21] Appl. No. 9,203

[22] Filed Feb. 6, I970 [45] Patented Sept. I4, I971 [73] Assignee Square D Company Park Ridge, [11.

[54] MOVABLE CONTACT GUIDING AND ACTUATING MECHANISM IN A MANUALLY OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH 9 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 200/153 G,

[51] Int. Cl HOlb 3/00 [50] FieldofSearch 335/191,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,331,067 2/1920 Jacobs 200/15 3 G 2,862,075 11/1958 Netzel 200/153 G 3,349,208 10/1967 Cataldo.. 200/153 G 3,430,014 2/1969 Walters 200/144 Primary ExaminerMilton O. Hirshfield Assistant Examiner-R. Skudy Anomeysl*larold J. Rathbun and William H. Schmeling ABSTRACT: A manually operated switch having a toggle-acting mechanism which applies positive pressure between the contacts during the interval the toggle levers are passing through the pivot center of the toggle levers. The switch includes a stabilizer which prevents the movable contact carrier from tilting so that an offcenter load may be applied on the contact carrier and a lever arrangement which will cause the operating buttons of the switch to become aligned when the switch is tripped in response to an electrical overload in the circuits controlled by the switch.

MOVABLE CONTACT GUIDING AND ACTUATING MECHANISM IN A MANUALLY OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH This invention relates to ariel'ectric switch and is more particularly concerned with the toggle mechanism and means for controlling the movement of a movable contact carrier in an electric switch.

The manually operated switch according to the present invention is particularly suited for use as a manually operated motor starter and is characterized by the ease in which it may be mounted on a panel, wired in circuits, and disassembled and assembled for inspection and service purposes. Manual starters may be considered as basic switching units in that they may be included in a large number of different circuits and provide a variety of different functions. For example, they may be provided with additional switches, known as electrical interlocks, to control the energization of indicating lamp circuits and they may be provided with mechanical interlocks when they are used in reversing and multispeed motor circuits. Further, to be commercially acceptable, the overload mechanism used in the starters should be trip free in its operation and provide some form of indication that the device has been subjected and responded to an excess current through the circuit monitored by the @vice. '{l le switching device according to the present invention satisfies the above requirements and includes an arrangement whereby the movement of the carrier for the movable contacts is stabilized so that the carrier is capable of operating an unbalanced mechanical load and an arrangement which will maintain the contacts in a circuit-closing position during the interval when the toggle mechanism is providing a zero output force.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric switch which may be readily converted to provide a variety of switching functions.

Another object is to provide an electric switch with a novel toggle mechanism which may be operated either with a rotatable lever or linearly movable buttons and includes a latch which maintains the toggle mechanism in a selected condition during the interval the toggle levers of the mechanism are passing through a pivot center of the toggle levers.

A further object of the present invention is to prevent a carrier for the movable contacts in an electric switch from tilting during its movement between two positions so that the carrier may be used to actuate additional devices which are located to cause an unbalanced mechanical load on the carrier.

An additional object is to provide an electric switch with a novel toggle mechanism which may be operated either with a rotatable lever or linearly movable buttons and when operated will maintain the toggle mechanism in a selected condition during the interval the toggle levers of the mechanism are passing through a pivot center for the levers of the toggle mechanism and arrange the levers of the toggle mechanism so that the lever or buttons, which operate the toggle mechanism, will indicate that the switch has been tripped in response to an overload current condition.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an electrical switch with a r'neans for/preventing a movable contact carrier in the switch from tilting as it is moved in response to the actuation of a toggle lever so the switch may be equipped with additional electrical or mechanical interlocks which are actuated by the carrier and to actuate the toggle lever with a toggle mechanism that includes a latch which prevents movement of the toggle lever to a position which will permit the carrier to move to a circuit-opening position during the interval when the toggle levers are moving through a center which would cause the toggle lever to exert a zero force on the carrier and to provide the toggle mechanism with a trip lever that is maintained in a reset position by a latch that is released by a slider in response to an overload current in a circuit and to locate the pivots of the toggle mechanism so the operating lever or buttons for the switch are moved to a position indicating that the toggle mechanism is in a tripped condition when the trip lever is released by the latch.

Further objects and features of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the specification and appended drawings illustrating certain preferred embodiments in which:

FIG. I is a cross-sectional view of a manually operated electric switch incorporating the features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the base portion of the switch in FIG. lwith housing containing the operating mechanism for the switch in FIG. I removed and showing a line l-I along which the cross section in FIG. 1 is taken.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the switch in FIG. I, as taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the switch as taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are diagrammatic views taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 4 of the toggle mechanism used in the switch in FIG. 1, respectively showing the position of the levers of the toggle mechanism when the levers are positioned in the ON," OFF, and TRIPPED operating positions of the switch.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of an operating lever for the toggle mechanism as shown in FIGS. 5-7.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a trip lever for the toggle mechanism as shown in FIGS. 5-7. v

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a toggle lever for the toggle mechanism as shown in FIGS. 5-7. 1 v

FIG. I1 is a top plan view of the toggle lever mechanism in FIGS. 4-7.

A manually operated electric switch 10 as shown in the drawings includes an insulating base 12 and a housing I4 which is detachably secured to a front surface of the base 12. The housing 14 encloses a toggle-acting-type operating mechanism 16 for the switch 10 and is secured to a front of the base by suitable screws 18, one of which is shown in FIG. 3, which are threaded into inserts 20, that are embedded in the base 12, as shown in FIG. 2.

The base 12 is formed of a suitable molded material, preferably having arc-suppressing characteristics, to have a rear wall 22 which may be secured to a vertical panel, not shown, when the switch 10 is placed in service. The securement of the base 12 on the panel is facilitated by suitable openings 24 which receive suitable screws and the like. While the base 12 is formed as a unitary member, it may be considered as having a portion 26 providing a switching functionon one end and a portion 28 providing a current-overload-detecting portion at its other end. The base I2 has a pair of sidewalls 30 and 32 extending substantially over its entire length. Extending forwardly of the rear wall 22 at the switching end 26 are four spaced partitions 34, ,35, 36 and 37 which define a row of side-by-side arc chambers 38, 40 and 42 and a compartment 43 located between the sidewall 30 and the partition 34 on one side of the base 12 and a compartment 45 that is located between the sidewall 32 and the partition 37 on the other side of the base 12. Positioned in each of the arc chambers 38, 40 and 42 is a pair of stationary contacts which are mounted in spaced relation to each other on opposite sides of a centerline 44, shown in FIG. 2. The contacts of each pair of stationary contacts are respectively designated by numerals 46 and 48. The stationary contacts 48 are supported within the chambers 38, 40 and 42 by one end of terminal members 50. The terminal members 50 extend to the top end of the base to provide a support for wire-clamping members 52. The contacts 46 in turn are supported by conductive straplike members 54 having ends resting on abutments 56 formed on the base 12 at the upper end of the overload-detecting portion 28. Each of the partitions 34-37 has a slot 58 extending from a front edge of the base toward the rear wall 22. The slots 58 in the partitions 35 and 36 have edges indicated by a numeral 60 which serve to guide the travel of a carrier for the movable contacts, as will be later described.

The overload portion 28 of the base 12 has a pair of partitions 62 spaced between the walls 30 and 32 to divide the overload portion 28 into three compartments 64, 6S and 66. Positioned in the respective compartments 64-66 are meltingalloy-type current-responsive means or overload elements 68.

mo em The overload element in compartment 65 in FIG. 2 is omitted to illustrate other portions of the switch 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the overload elements 68 are secured to the respective conductive straps 54 by screws 72. Each overload element 63 includes a solder-type current-responsive unit which has a heater element connected in series with a circuit to be monitored. A typical example of an overload element is disclosed in the Van Valltenburg U.S. Pat. No. 1,752,514, issued Apr. 1, 1930. When the current flowing through the monitored circuit and therefore the heating element of the overload element exceeds a predetermined value, the solder within the unit melts and permits a ratchet wheel 74 of the overload element to rotate. Normally the solder of the overload elements 68 is in a solid state and surrounds the shaft whereon the ratchet wheels 74 are fixed to hold the ratchet wheels 74 against rotation. When any one or all of the overload elements 68 are subjected to abnormal current flow, the ratchet wheels 74 of the overheated overload elements 68 will be free to rotate. After the abnormal current flow ceases, the solder again solidifies to maintain the ratchet wheels 74 against rotation.

Extending into each of the respective compartments 64-66 from the rear wall 22 is a guideway for a slider 76. The respective sliders 76 in each compartment 64-66 have a latch portion 79 that is engageable with the teeth on the ratchet wheels 74, a portion that provides a seat for one end of a spring indicated by a numeral 81) in FIG. 1 and a projection 81 that is engaged by an arm portion 82 on a lever 84. The lever 84 has a portion 86 pivotally mounted between portions of the base 12 and a cover 88 which also provides a seat for the springs 311. A slider 90 which is movable in a suitable groove in the material of the base 12 has an end 92 engaging a portion of the lever located between the pivot 86 and the arm portions 82 that rest on the projections 81.

When the overload elements 61" are in a reset condition, that is, when the ratchet wheels 74 are held immovable by the solidified solder within the overload elements 68, the latch portion 79 on the respective sliders 76 will engage the teeth of the ratchet wheels 74 and maintain the sliders 76 in a position wherein the springs 80 are compressed. The lever 84 will be positioned adjacent the rear wall 22. in the event that any of the overload elements 68 in the compartments 64-66 are subjected to an excess current, the ratchet wheels 74 of the overheated overload element 63 will be free to rotate so that the springs 80 will cause the slider 76 in the compartment containing the overheated overload element 611 to move in a direction which will cause the lever 84 to rotate in a clockwise direction, as in FIG. 1. The clockwise direction of the lever 134 causes the slider 911 to move forwardly in a direction which will cause the trip mechanism within the housing 14 to move to a trip position, as will be hereinafter described.

The housing 14 is provided with a pair of spaced grooves Q4 along its opposite sidewalls that extend perpendicular to the rear wall which act as guideways for a movable contact carrier 98 and guide the movement of the carrier 98 along an axis extending in a plane normal to the rear wall 22 through the centerline 44. As shown in FIG. 4, the contact carrier 98 has an end that is notched to provide projections 1611, 1131 and 102 that respectively extend into the arc chambers 38, 411 and 42. The projections 100, 101 and 1112 each are provided with openings wherein a movable contact 111 3 and a spring 1116 are positioned. The movable contacts 111 are positioned by the carrier 98 to engage and bridge the stationary contacts 46 and 48 when the carrier 98 is moved toward the rear wall 22 to an actuated position by the toggle mechanism 16. The notches which separate the projections 1611, 101 and 102 straddle the partitions 35 and 36 and are arranged so portions of the projections 100, 101 and 102 are guided by the edges 60 to guide the movement of the carrier 98 relative to the base 12. Extending outwardly in opposite directions from the edges of the end which carries the projections 11111, 1191 and M12 are projections 107 and 10%. The projections 107 and 1.0!? are located so as to respectively extend into the compartments 33 and 45. Also outwardly extending in opposite directions from the jections 110 and 112 so that switches, interlocks and the like which have actuators disposed adjacent the outer sidewalls of the base 12 may be actuated by the movement of the carrier 98. The carrier 98 also has an actuating portion 118 that is centrally located on an end of the carrier remote from the projections 1110, 101 and 102 and equidistant from the projections 107 and 108. The portion 118 is engaged by a portion 120 on a lever 122 of the toggle mechanism 16.

As shown in FIGS. 5-11, the toggle mechanism 16 includes the toggle lever 122, an operating lever 124, a trip lever 126, a toggle spring 128, a trip lever spring 130, a toggle latch lever 132, a latch lever spring 134, a trip lever latch [36 and a means for moving the operating lever 124 which, in the embodiment shown, includes an OFF-RESET button 138 and an ON button 140. The housing 14 provides a support for a main pivot M2 for the toggle mechanism.

The operating lever 124 as shown in FIG. 11 is formed of two identical members 124a and 12412 which are maintained in parallel spaced relation to each other by a pair of pins l24c and 124d. A pivot 142 is provided by a pair of pins 142a and 1421:, each of which is supported by portions of the housing 14. The trip lever 126 is formed as a U-shaped part to have a bight portion 126a and a pair of members 1126b and 1260 extending respectively parallel to the members 124a and 124!) within the space between the members 1240 and l24b. The pivot pins 142a and 142k are respectively secured to the members 126b and 1260 and each extend through an opening in the members 1240 and 1124b to pivotally mount the operating lever 124 and the trip lever 126 on the pivot 142 that has an axis extending in the plane of movement of the carrier 98. The members 1124a, 1124b and 126b and 126C are arranged so that levers 12d and 1126 effectively have arm portions extending in opposite directions from the pivot 142 so the pin 1240 on one end of the lever 124 is located on the right side of the pivot 142. Similarly, the arm portions of the lever 126 locates the bight portion 1260 on the left side of the pivot 142 and an auxiliary pivot 126d provided by a pair of pins on the members 1126b and 1260 on the right side of the pivot 142. The toggle lever 122 includes a pair of members 122a and 12212 that extend parallel to and are received within the space between members 1126b and 126s of the trip lever 126. The members 122a and 1122b are interconnected by the actuating portion 1211 that is located between the opposite ends of the members 1220 and 12% along the rear edges of the members 122a and 12217 so as to constantly engage the actuating portion 118 of the carrier 98. The members 122a and 12% which provide portions of the toggle lever 122 have their opposite ends notched so that a notch 1226 on an end of an arm portion located to the right of the pivot 142 is pivotally mounted on the pins providing the auxiliary pivot 126d on the levers l26b and 1126c and a notch 122d on an end of an arm portion extending to the left of the pivot 142 carries a pin 1222. The toggle spring 128 has its opposite ends respectively connected to the pin 122e and the pin 1124c. The trip lever 126 is provided with an extension 126g whereon one end of the trip lever spring 1311 is seated. The other end of the spring 130 is seated on a stop member 144, carried by the housing 14. The spring 136 constantly urges the trip lever 126 in a clockwise direction of rotation in F168. 4-6. The bight portion 1260 extends to a hook 12611 that is engaged by a hook portion 136a on the trip lever latch 136 that is rotatably carried by the hous ing 14 and biased by a spring, not shown, to rotate the latch 136 in a clockwise direction in F163. 5-7, as is more clearly disclosed in an application for 11.5. Pat. Ser. No. 9,160, concurrently filed herewith by the inventors Jordan F. Puetz, Joseph .1. Gribble and James P. Schmiedel. The toggle latch Fever 132 comprises a U-shaped member having a pair of arms 132a and 1.32!) pivotally mounted on the members 126b and 12.60. The arms 132a and 132 b are interconnected by a bight portion 132C. The arm 132b has a surface 132d which is engaged by a portion 124:: on the member 12411 of the operating lever 124 when the operating lever 124 is moved to the OFF position and a portion 132:: that is engaged by a portion, not shown, on the member 136 when the member 136 rotates in a clockwise direction when one of the overload elements 68 responds to an excess current flow. The toggle latch lever spring 134 surrounds the pivot for the arm l32b and constantly urges the latch lever 132 in a clockwise direction of rotation in FIGS. 5-7. The buttons 138 and 140 are each guided for movement by the material of the housing 14 and are provided with suitable slots, not shown, which receive pins 148 on the lever 124 so that the buttons 138 and 140 when moved toward the rear wall 22 will cause the lever 124 to rotate about the pivot 142. In this connection it is apparent that instead of using the buttons 138 and 140 to operate the lever 124, a single lever projecting forwardly of the lever 124 through an elongated opening in the forward end of the housing 14 may be used to rotate the lever 124 about the pivot 142. A switch incorporating a single lever arrangement is illustrated in an application for a United States Design Patent, Ser. No. D-2l ,316, which has been filed by the inventors Joseph J. Gribble, Don .I. Arneberg, and David F. Scott concurrently herewith.

As was previously described, the projections 107 and 108 may be used to actuate suitable switches which are positioned within the compartments 43 or 45. For example, a switch 150 which is shown in FIG. 3, has an actuator 152 which is moved when the projection 108 is moved toward the rear wall. An example of the type of construction which may be used in the switch 150 is illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3,322,910 which was granted on May 30, 1967 to Allin W. Schubring. Similarly, suitable switches or mechanical interlocks which are externally disposed of the switch may be actuated by the projections 110 or 112. An example of an interlock as may be used is illustrated in an application for US. Pat., Ser. No. 9,206, filed concurrently herewith which has been assigned by the inventors Don J. Arneberg and Joseph J. Gribble to the assignee of the present invention. Thus it is apparent that should only a single switch 150 be positioned in one of the compartments 43 or 45 or a single interlock be actuated by one of the projections 110 or 112, an unbalanced load will be imposed on the contact carrier. As is clearly shown in FIG. 4, the contact carrier has a centrally located portion 118 that is moved by the portion 120 of the toggle mechanism. Thus the presence of an unbalanced load on the carrier 98 will cause the carrier to tilt in its movement. This result is eliminated by the presence ofa stabilizing bar 154 which has a pair of arm portions 154a and 154b extending through notches 156 and 158 that are located in the opposite ends of the carrier, as in FIG. 4. The stabilizing bar 154 is formed as a U-shaped member to have a bight portion 154C pivotally mounted on the housing 14 and the pair of arms 154a and 154b extending from the bight portion 1546' through the notches 156 and 158 to present a free end 160 on each of the arms 154a and l54b. A pair of springs indicated by numeral 162 each have an end bearing against one of the ends 160 and portions of the base 12 to constantly urge the stabilizing bar 154 and the contact carrier 98 to a position wherein the movable contacts 104 are separated from the stationary contacts 46 and 48. When the contact carrier 98 is moved downwardly by the toggle mechanism 16, in a manner as will be hereinafter described, the stabilizing bar 154 rotates about its bight portion 1540 as the arm portions 154a and 154b prevent the contact carrier 98 from tilting when an unequal load is applied to the respective ends of the carrier 98.

The operation of the toggle mechanism 16 is as follows. The levers of the toggle mechanism 16 are shown in the OFF- RESET condition in FIG. 6 wherein engagement between the hooks 136a and 126h causes the spring 130 to be compressed and maintains the trip lever 126 against a clockwise rotation and positions the lever 126 so that the auxiliary pivot 126d is located above a centerline indicated by a broken line 164 which extends through a pivot 142. The button 138, which has been previously depressed, positions the operating lever so the pivot pin 1240 is located above the centerline 164. The toggle spring 128 has its opposite ends connected between the pin 124s and the pin 122e that is carried by the toggle lever 122. The position of the pin 124a above the centerline 164 causes a line of centers between the pins 1240 and 122e to be disposed above the centerline 164 so that the toggle spring 128 causes toggle lever 122 to be positioned on the auxiliary pivot 126d so that the pin 122e is above the centerline 164 and the actuating portion is positioned so that the movable contact carrier 98 is moved forwardly in the base by the springs 162 to a position wherein the movable contacts 104 are separated from the stationary contacts 46 and 48. When the toggle mechanism is in the OFF position, a stop 122f carried by the member 122a of the toggle lever 122 engages an upper edge of the member 126!) of the trip lever 126 to prevent further movement of the toggle lever 122 and the operating lever 124 by the toggle spring 128.

The toggle mechanism is moved from the OFF position shown in FIG. 6 to the ON position shown in FIG. 5, by depressing the operating button 140. The depression of the button 140 causes the operating lever 124 to rotate about the pivot 142 in a clockwise direction so that the pivot pin 1240 is positioned beneath the centerline 164 which causes the line of centers between the pin 124C and the pin 122e to be disposed beneath the center of the pivot 142 whereby the toggle spring 128 causes the toggle lever 122 to rotate about the auxiliary pivot 126d and position the pin 122e below the centerline 164. The movement of the toggle lever causes the actuating portion 120 to move toward the rear wall 22 so that the movable contact carrier 98 moves and causes the movable contacts 104 to engage the stationary contacts 46 and 48 with a firm engagement as the movable contacts 104 compress the movable contact springs 106. The movement of the levers of the toggle mechanism 16 when positioned in the ON position is limited by a stop 126j that is carried by the trip lever 126 as the stop 126j engages an upper surface portion of the member 122b on the toggle lever 122.

In the event of an excess current flow through any one or 'all of the overload elements 68, the levers of the toggle mechanism 16 will automatically move to the tripped position shown in FIG. 7 as follows. When the toggle mechanism 16 is positioned in the ON position, the spring will be compressed, pins 122e and l24c will be located below the centerline 164, and the auxiliary pivot 126d will be positioned above the centerline 164. The contact carrier 98 is positioned by the portion 120 so that the stationary contacts '46 and 48 are bridged by the movable contacts 104. An excess current through any one or all of the overload elements 68 will release at least one of the ratchet wheels 74, thereby releasing the latch portions 79 of at least one of the sliders 76 so that the released slider 76 is moved forwardly by a spring 80. The forward movement of the released slider 76 will cause the lever 84 to rotate about its pivot 86 and the slider 90 to move forwardly. The slider 90 has a portion engaging a portion of the lever which carries a hook 136a so that the forward motion of the slider 90 through a camming action causes the hook 136a to rotate clockwise and release the hook 126k. The release of the hook l26h permits the trip lever 126 to rotate in a clockwise direction to a tripped position wherein portions of the trip lever 126 engage the stop 144. During the rotation of the trip lever 126 to the tripped position, the auxiliary pivot 126d will pass through the line of centers between the pins 124c and 122e. The movement of the auxiliary pivot to the tripped position causes the toggle spring 128 to supply a'force which rotates the toggle lever 122 in a'clockwise direction and the operating lever 124 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction to a neutral position wherein the position of the operating lever 126 will cause the buttons 1'38 and 140'to be positioned so that their top surfaces are aligned in a single plane and visually indicate from the exterior of the switch 10 that the components of the switch 10 have responded to an overload condition. Also, when the toggle mechanism 16 is in an overload position, the portion 120 will be in a fully retracted position so that the contact carrier 98 is moved upwardly by the springs 162 to a position wherein the movable contacts 104 are separated from the stationary contacts 46 and 48.

The operation of the toggle latch lever 132 will now be described. When the levers of the toggle mechanism 16 are in the OFF position, the portion 124s of the operating lever 124 will engage the portion 13211 and move the latch lever 132 in a counterclockwise direction so that the bight portion 132C is out of engagement with a hook 1223 on the toggle lever 122. When the levers of the toggle mechanism 16 are in the ON position, the portion 124a of the operating lever 124 will be separated from the portion 132d on the latch lever 132 so the latch lever spring 134 will rotate the latch lever in the clockwise direction to a position wherein the bight portion 132C is engageable with the hook 122g. When the button 138 is depressed to move the operating lever 124 from the ON position to the OFF position, the bight portion 132C will be maintained in engagement with the hook 122g until the line of centers between the pins 1240 and 122a has passed a predetermined distance above the axis of the pivot 142 before the portion 124e engages the portion 132d so the contact carrier 98 will be maintained in a position wherein the movable contacts 104 are in tight engagement with the stationary contacts 416 and 48 and positive pressure is maintained by the movable and stationary contacts as the toggle mechanism 16 passes through a line of toggle centers which would otherwise provide zero pressure between the movable and stationary contacts. When the components of the switch respond to an overload condition, as has been previously described, which causes the hook 136a to rotate in a clockwise direction, a portion of the lever carrying the hook 136a is arranged to engage a portion 132e to rotate the lever 132 in a counterclockwise direction to release the engagement between the bight portion 132s and the hook 122g so that the toggle lever 122 is free to rotate in a clockwise direction to the tripped position, as has been previously described.

After the switch has responded to an overload current condition, the components of the switch may be restored to the OFF-RESET position as follows. As previously indicated, the switch 10 will respond to an overload current condition and cause the buttons 138 and 140 to be aligned. The depression of the OFF-RESET button 138 from its aligned position with the button 140 will cause the operating lever 124 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and cause the pin 124d to engage the upper surface of the trip lever 126 and move the trip lever 126 in a counterclockwise direction of rotation to the RESET position. The lever 124 has portions 124f on the members 124a and 124b which are arranged to engage portions 900 on the slider and move the slider 90 toward the rear wall 22 when the lever 124 rotates in a counterclockwise direction. The portion 92 on the slider 90 will thus cause the lever 84 to rotate counterclockwise and the sliders 76 to move toward the rear wall to a position wherein the latch portions 79 are positioned to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheels 74. In the event the solder in all of the overload elements 68 has been solidified, so that the ratchet wheels 74 will no longer be free to rotate, the lever 84 will be maintained in its position adjacent the rear wall so that a spring, not shown, will move the lever carrying the hook 13611 to a position which will permit the hook 13611 to engage the hook 126): and maintain the trip lever 126 in the reset position, as previously described. In event the ratchet wheels are not held fixed, as may be caused when the device is prematurely reset, the release of the operating OFF-RESET button 138 will cause the sliders 76 to move the lever 84 and the slider 90, as previously described. Thus the switch 10 will have a trip-free operation.

Thus the switch 10 as described will maintain a positive pressure between the switching contacts during the interval the levers of the toggle mechanism are passing through positions which would otherwise provide a zero output force on the movable contact carrier. Further, the toggle mechanism 16 of the switch 10 is arranged so that the operating buttons or rotatable lever will move to positions which indicate the switch has responded to an excess current condition and movable contact portion of the switch includes a stabilizing bar which prevents the movable contact carrier from tilting during its actuation of an offcenter load.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto, as many variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electric switch, the combination comprising: an insulating base member having a rear wall and a plurality of spaced partitions extending forwardly of the rear wall forming a row of side-by-side arc chambers, a pair of stationary con tacts mounted in each of said chambers in spaced relation to each other on opposite sides of a centerline, a movable con tact carrier having portions guided by the base for movement along an axis extending in a plane normal to the rear wall through the centerline, said contact carrier having portions within the chambers carrying movable contacts for engaging the stationary contacts, portions projecting in opposite directions in the plane beyond opposite ends of the row of arc chambers, and an actuating portion equidistant from the projection portions on an end of the carrier that is remote from the contact-carrying portion, an operating mechanism including a toggle lever having a portion engaging the actuating portion for moving the carrier along the axis from a deactuated position to an actuated position whereat the movable contacts engage the stationary when the mechanism is in an operative condition, and a stabilizing member having a portion rotatable about an axis parallel to the centerline and spaced from the plane and portions engaging the projecting portions on the contact carrier for preventing the carrier from tilting during its movement along the axis.

2. The combination as recited in claim 1 including a pair of springs each having an end engaging the portions of the stabilizing member that engage the projecting portions of the carrier for constantly urging the carrier to its deactivated position.

3. The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the base includes a pair of compartments located at the opposite ends of the row of arc chambers wherein separately enclosed switches may be installed and actuated by the projecting portions of the carrier.

4. The combination as recited in claim 3 wherein the portion on the toggle lever that engages the actuating portion is located between the opposite ends of the toggle lever and the operating mechanism includes a lever that is manually operable and a spring that is connected between one of the ends of the toggle lever and an end on the manually operated lever causes the toggle lever to move with a toggle action in response to the operation of the manually operated lever when said end of the operating lever is alternately moved between two positions that are located on opposite sides of a line of centers.

5. The combination as recited in claim 4 wherein the manually operated lever is movable between an actuated and a deactuated position and a latch maintains the toggle lever against movement to a deactuated position until the latch is released by the manually operated lever when the manually operated lever is moved from the actuated to the deactuated position.

6. The combination as recited in claim 4 including a rotatable trip lever providing a pivot for the toggle lever, a means responsive to current flow in a circuit, said means including a releasable latch having a portion engaging the trip lever for maintaining the trip lever against rotation in a reset position so that the pivot for the toggle lever is positioned on one side of the line of centers when the current-responsive means including the latch is in a reset condition, and a spring having a portion engaging the trip lever and providing a force to rotate the trip lever to a tripped position so that the pivot for the toggle lever is positioned on the side of the line of centers that is opposite the said one side when the current flow through the circuit exceeds a predetermined value and causes the currentresponsive means including the latch to release the trip lever and the spring causes the trip lever to move to a tripped position, said pivot having a location on the trip lever so that the toggle spring is operative to move the toggle lever in response to the movement of the operating lever to the said two positions when the trip lever is in the RESET position and incapable of moving the toggle lever when the trip lever is at the tripped position.

7. The combination as recited in claim 6 wherein the latch is rotatable between the RESET and tripped positions and is rotated to the tripped position by a slider in response to an excess current flow through a solder-pot-type current-responsive element.

8. The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the manually movable operating lever is rotatable about a main pivot and has arm portions extending in opposite directions from the main pivot to provide a first free end on a first side of the main pivot and a second free end on a second side of the main pivot, the toggle lever extends to provide a first free end that is rotatable about an auxiliary pivot on the first side of the main pivot and a second free end that is disposed on the second side of the main pivot and including, a trip lever rotatable about the main pivot and including, a trip lever rotatable about the main pivot and having arm portions extending in opposite directions to provide the auxiliary pivot on the first side of the main pivot and a second free end on the second side of the main pivot, a means responsive to current flow in a circuit and having a portion engaging the second free end of the trip lever for releasably preventing rotation of the trip lever about the main pivot and positioning the auxiliary pivot in a latched position on one side of a line of centers extending through the main pivot between the first and the second sides of the pivot, a trip lever spring having an end engaging the trip lever for supplying a force to rotate the trip lever about the main pivot and moving the auxiliary pivot through the line of centers from the latched position to a tripped position that is disposed on a side of the line of centers that is opposite the said one side upon release of the trip lever by the current-responsive means, a toggle spring of the tension type having a first end connected to the first free end of the operating lever and a second end connected to the second free end of the toggle lever for positioning the second free end of the toggle lever in an activated position that is located on the said one side of the line of centers when the operating lever is positioned at an ON position whereat the first free end of the operating lever is on the said one side of the line of centers and for causing the second free end of the toggle lever to move with a snap action to a deactivated position whereat the second free end is positioned on the said opposite side of the line of centers when the operating lever is rotated from the ON position in a direction toward an OFF position to cause the first free end of the operating lever to move through the line of centers to the OFF position whereat the first free end is positioned on the said opposite side of the line of centers, and a spring-biased toggle latch lever having a portion pivotally mounted on the trip lever, a portion engaging the toggle lever for maintaining the toggle lever in an activated position when the trip lever is in the latched position and the operating lever is in the ON position and a portion located to be engaged by the operating lever and moved out of the latched position with the toggle lever when the operating lever is rotated about the main pivot from the ON position a predetermined distance through the line of cen ters toward the OFF position.

9. In an electric switch, the combination comprising: a manually movable operating lever rotatable about a main pivot and having arm portions extending in opposite directions from the main pivot to provide a first free end on a first side of themain pivot and a second free end on a second side of the main pivot, a trip lever rotatable about the mam pivot and having arm portions extending in opposite directions to provide a first free end on the first side of the main pivot and a second free end on the second side of the main pivot, a trip lever rotatable about the main pivot and having arm portions extending in opposite directions to provide a first free end on the first side of the main pivot and a second free end on the second side of the main pivot, a toggle lever extending to provide a first free end that is rotatable about an auxiliary pivot carried by the first free end of the trip lever and a second free end that is disposed on the second side of the main pivot, a means responsive to current flow in a circuit and having a portion engaging the second free end of the trip lever for releasably preventing rotation of the trip lever about the main pivot and positioning the auxiliary pivot in a latched position on one side of a line of centers extending through the main pivot between the first and second sides of the pivot, a trip lever spring having an end engaging the trip lever for supplying a force to rotate the trip lever about the main pivot and moving the auxiliary pivot through the line of centers from the latched position to a tripped position that is disposed on a side of the line of centers that is opposite the said one side upon release of the trip lever by the current-responsive means, a toggle spring of the tension type having a first end connected to the first free end of the operating lever and a second end connected to the second free end of the toggle lever for positioning the second free end of the toggle lever in an activated position that is located on the said one side of the line of centers when the operating lever is positioned at an ON position whereat the first free end of the operating lever is on the said one side of the line of centers and for causing the second free end of the toggle lever to move with a snap action to a deactivated position whereat the second free end is positioned on the said opposite side of the line of centers when the operating lever is rotated from the ON position in a direction toward an OFF position to cause the first free end of the operating lever to move through the line of centers to the OFF position whereat the first free end is positioned on the said opposite side of the line of centers, and a spring-biased toggle latch lever having a portion pivotally mounted on the trip lever, a portion engaging the toggle lever for maintaining the toggle lever in an activated position when the trip lever is in the latched position and the operating lever is in the ON position and a portion located to be engaged by the operating lever and moved out of the latched position with the toggle lever and moved out of the latched position with the toggle lever when the operating lever is rotated about the main pivot from the ON position a predetermined distance through the line of centers toward the OFF position.

" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3 ,604 8'14 Dated Segtembeg 1Q 1 91 1 Inventofls) Jordan F. Puetz It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

601. 6, line 66, cancel the period following "122e" and insert --to a position below the centerline between the pins 12% and 122e.--

Gel, 9, lines 27 8: 28, cancel "a trip lever rotatable about the main pivot and including, E

sol. 10,1ines 16-20, cancel "a trip lever rotatable about the main pivot and having arm portions extending in opposite directions to provide a first free end on the first side of the main pivot and a second free end on the second side of the main pivot,"; lines 57 and 58, cancel "moved out of the latched position with the toggle lever Signed and sealed this 21st day of March 1972.

EDWARD M.FLETCHER, JR. Atteeting Officer ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Commissioner of Patents 

1. In an electric switch, the combination comprising: an insulating base member having a rear wall and a plurality of spaced partitions extending forwardly of the rear wall forming a row of side-by-side arc chambers, a pair of stationary contacts mounted in each of said chambers in spaced relation to each other on opposite sides of a centerline, a movable contact carrier having portions guided by the base for movement along an axis extending in a plane normal to the rear wall through the centerline, said contact carrier having portions within the chambers carrying movable contacts for engaging the stationary contacts, portions projecting in opposite directions in the plane beyond opposite ends of the row of arc chambers, and an actuating portion equidistant from the projection portions on an end of the carrier that is remote from the contact-carrying portion, an operating mechanism including a toggle lever having a portion engaging the actuating portion for moving the carrier along the axis from a deactuated position to an actuated position whereat the movable contacts engage the stationary when the mechanism is in an operative condition, and a stabilizing member having a portion rotatable about an axis parallel to the centerline and spaced from the plane and portions engaging the projecting portions on the contact carrier for preventing the carrier from tilting during its movement along the axis.
 2. The combination as recited in claim 1 including a pair of springs each having an end engaging the portions of the stabilizing member that engage the projecting portions of the carrier for constantly urging the carrier to its deactivated position.
 3. The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the base includes a pair of compartments located at the opposite ends of the row of arc chambers wherein separately enclosed switches may be installed and actuated by the projecting portions of the carrier.
 4. The combination as recited in claim 3 wherein the portion on the toggle lever that engages the actuating portion is located between the opposite ends of the toggle lever and the operating mechanism includes a lever that is manually operable and a spring that is connected between one of the ends of the toggle lever and an end on the manually operated lever causes the toggle lever to move with a toggle action in response to the operation of the manually operated lever when said end of the operating lever is alternately moved between two positions that are located on opposite sides of a line of centers.
 5. The combination as recited in claim 4 wherein the manually operated lever is movable between an actuated and a deactuated position and a latch maintains the toggle lever against movement to a deactuated position until the latch is released by the manually operated lever when the manually operated lever is moved from the actuated to the deactuated position.
 6. The combination as recited in claim 4 including a rotatable trip lever providing a pivot for the toggle lever, a means responsive to current flow in a Circuit, said means including a releasable latch having a portion engaging the trip lever for maintaining the trip lever against rotation in a reset position so that the pivot for the toggle lever is positioned on one side of the line of centers when the current-responsive means including the latch is in a reset condition, and a spring having a portion engaging the trip lever and providing a force to rotate the trip lever to a tripped position so that the pivot for the toggle lever is positioned on the side of the line of centers that is opposite the said one side when the current flow through the circuit exceeds a predetermined value and causes the current-responsive means including the latch to release the trip lever and the spring causes the trip lever to move to a tripped position, said pivot having a location on the trip lever so that the toggle spring is operative to move the toggle lever in response to the movement of the operating lever to the said two positions when the trip lever is in the RESET position and incapable of moving the toggle lever when the trip lever is at the tripped position.
 7. The combination as recited in claim 6 wherein the latch is rotatable between the RESET and tripped positions and is rotated to the tripped position by a slider in response to an excess current flow through a solder-pot-type current-responsive element.
 8. The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the manually movable operating lever is rotatable about a main pivot and has arm portions extending in opposite directions from the main pivot to provide a first free end on a first side of the main pivot and a second free end on a second side of the main pivot, the toggle lever extends to provide a first free end that is rotatable about an auxiliary pivot on the first side of the main pivot and a second free end that is disposed on the second side of the main pivot and including, a trip lever rotatable about the main pivot and including, a trip lever rotatable about the main pivot and having arm portions extending in opposite directions to provide the auxiliary pivot on the first side of the main pivot and a second free end on the second side of the main pivot, a means responsive to current flow in a circuit and having a portion engaging the second free end of the trip lever for releasably preventing rotation of the trip lever about the main pivot and positioning the auxiliary pivot in a latched position on one side of a line of centers extending through the main pivot between the first and the second sides of the pivot, a trip lever spring having an end engaging the trip lever for supplying a force to rotate the trip lever about the main pivot and moving the auxiliary pivot through the line of centers from the latched position to a tripped position that is disposed on a side of the line of centers that is opposite the said one side upon release of the trip lever by the current-responsive means, a toggle spring of the tension type having a first end connected to the first free end of the operating lever and a second end connected to the second free end of the toggle lever for positioning the second free end of the toggle lever in an activated position that is located on the said one side of the line of centers when the operating lever is positioned at an ON position whereat the first free end of the operating lever is on the said one side of the line of centers and for causing the second free end of the toggle lever to move with a snap action to a deactivated position whereat the second free end is positioned on the said opposite side of the line of centers when the operating lever is rotated from the ON position in a direction toward an OFF position to cause the first free end of the operating lever to move through the line of centers to the OFF position whereat the first free end is positioned on the said opposite side of the line of centers, and a spring-biased toggle latch lever having a portion pivotally mounted on the trip lever, a portion engaging the toggle leVer for maintaining the toggle lever in an activated position when the trip lever is in the latched position and the operating lever is in the ON position and a portion located to be engaged by the operating lever and moved out of the latched position with the toggle lever when the operating lever is rotated about the main pivot from the ON position a predetermined distance through the line of centers toward the OFF position.
 9. In an electric switch, the combination comprising: a manually movable operating lever rotatable about a main pivot and having arm portions extending in opposite directions from the main pivot to provide a first free end on a first side of the main pivot and a second free end on a second side of the main pivot, a trip lever rotatable about the main pivot and having arm portions extending in opposite directions to provide a first free end on the first side of the main pivot and a second free end on the second side of the main pivot, a trip lever rotatable about the main pivot and having arm portions extending in opposite directions to provide a first free end on the first side of the main pivot and a second free end on the second side of the main pivot, a toggle lever extending to provide a first free end that is rotatable about an auxiliary pivot carried by the first free end of the trip lever and a second free end that is disposed on the second side of the main pivot, a means responsive to current flow in a circuit and having a portion engaging the second free end of the trip lever for releasably preventing rotation of the trip lever about the main pivot and positioning the auxiliary pivot in a latched position on one side of a line of centers extending through the main pivot between the first and second sides of the pivot, a trip lever spring having an end engaging the trip lever for supplying a force to rotate the trip lever about the main pivot and moving the auxiliary pivot through the line of centers from the latched position to a tripped position that is disposed on a side of the line of centers that is opposite the said one side upon release of the trip lever by the current-responsive means, a toggle spring of the tension type having a first end connected to the first free end of the operating lever and a second end connected to the second free end of the toggle lever for positioning the second free end of the toggle lever in an activated position that is located on the said one side of the line of centers when the operating lever is positioned at an ON position whereat the first free end of the operating lever is on the said one side of the line of centers and for causing the second free end of the toggle lever to move with a snap action to a deactivated position whereat the second free end is positioned on the said opposite side of the line of centers when the operating lever is rotated from the ON position in a direction toward an OFF position to cause the first free end of the operating lever to move through the line of centers to the OFF position whereat the first free end is positioned on the said opposite side of the line of centers, and a spring-biased toggle latch lever having a portion pivotally mounted on the trip lever, a portion engaging the toggle lever for maintaining the toggle lever in an activated position when the trip lever is in the latched position and the operating lever is in the ON position and a portion located to be engaged by the operating lever and moved out of the latched position with the toggle lever and moved out of the latched position with the toggle lever when the operating lever is rotated about the main pivot from the ON position a predetermined distance through the line of centers toward the OFF position. 